From May onwards, hundreds of EU citizens will be invited to reflect on Europe's future at a conference that will debate European policy priorities in an attempt to introduce direct democracy in EU decision-making. EURACTIV France reports.

The Commission presented on Monday (23 April) a draft directive on the protection of whistleblowers. However, this new draft counterbalances the directive on trade secrets adopted in 2016, which France is currently transposing. EURACTIV.fr reports.

France is breaking new ground with preliminary investigations into programmed obsolescence by Apple and Epson. But at a European level, the debate on product life-cycles is not taking place, Pascal Durand said in an interview with EURACTIV France.

EU national representatives adopted on Monday (4 September) the European Commission’s draft criteria for endocrine disruptors in biocidal procducts, laying the foundation for a comprehensive strategy to limit citizens’ exposure to harmful substances.

After years in the pipeline, an EU-wide definition of endocrine disruptors was finally approved by member states on 4 July. But MEP Pascal Durand told EURACTIV’s partner Ouest-France he is concerned the definition does not respect the precautionary principle.

MEPs agreed on Tuesday (4 July) that manufacturers of electronic appliances should be encouraged to boost the useful life-span of their products by offering affordable spare parts and repair services. EURACTIV France reports.

The European Parliament broke new ground on Friday (19 May), when French Green MEP Pascal Durand submitted an own initiative report aimed at tackling products with an artificially built-in shelf life, with MEPs due to vote soon. EURACTIV’s partner Journal de l’Environnement reports.

After the failure of Beppe Grillo's rapprochement with the Liberals in Brussels, one 5 Star MEP has joined the Greens and another the extreme-right ENL group. But others defectors been discouraged by Grillo’s harsh retaliation measures. EURACTIV France reports.

EXCLUSIVE / MEPs have responded to the recent conflicts of interest concerning members of the Barroso Commission by freezing part of the allowance granted to former Commissioners at the end of their mandate. EURACTIV France reports.

After a strenuous negotiating process, on Wednesday (24 June) MEPs validated the European Fund for Strategic Investments, taking the EU one step closer to the launch of the Juncker Investment Plan. EURACTIV France reports.

In retaliation for the Socialists and Democrats' postponement of the TTIP vote on Tuesday (9 June), the EPP succeeded in calling off the debate scheduled for the next day. The two groups blame each other for the situation. EURACTIV France reports.

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